The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-04-02

''Of course not, y added Lady Gertrude
quite sympathetically.
Your Ladyship is very good" said Mr.
Lazarus, agreeably surprised ''No doubt,
to avoid unpleasantness, the general
''Y on may put my husband out of the
question" interposed Lady Gertrude IN de-
cisive tone. "With the best intentions, he
can do nothing, nor can l."
HAS your Ladyship any thing to suggest,
them" inquired Mr. Lazarus, sulkily
Yes, Mr.. Lazarus, l have" said Lady
Gertrude, looking him in the face. Il want
to put you in the way of getting your
money, and of doing my husband and me a
service at the same tine'
Mr.. Lazarus was too much taken abacll by
this unexpected announcement to make any
reply; but he pulled his chair forward and
assumed an attitude of eager attention.
mind, Mr.. Lazarus said Lady Ger
trude, raising her finger, impressively,
''what am going to say to you is in strict
confidence, and you must give me your
word of honor never to mention my name or
to reveal to my son that 1 have been here"
Certainly not my lady" cried Mr.. Laza-
rus, with unmistakable earnestness.
81 must tell you piece of family history,
Mr.. Lazarus said Lady Gertrude. ''Three
years ago my husbands elder brother died
He was bachelor and very rich, and my
son was generally regarded as his heir
But Spencer played his cards badly-he is
too independent and spirited-and be-
cause he declined to entertain the idea of
marrying according to his uncles wishes
he was entirely disinherited."
"Dear me! That's bad !" murmured Mr.
Lazarus, all attention.
1.-THE young lady-a charming girl-was
an orphan, the child of a lady whom the old
gentleman was formerly attached to; quite
Il romantic story" resumed Lady Gertrude
Because my son refused to fall in with his
uncle's wishes, every farthing of money
went to this girl who is consequently an
heiress."
''Is the young LADY favorably disposed to
the CaptainF' inquired Mr.. Lazarus.
''She is devoted to him. and she regards
her fortune as being held in trust for my
son. In fact" added Lady Gertrude, en-
phatically, my husband was assured by
his brother on his death-bed that he had no
intention of disDheriting Spencer, but
wished to insure his marrying Constance
Manning He ought to have known my on
better than to suppose he would marry the
girl for the sake of her money. But the fact
is that that fortune is Spencers whenever
he chooses to claim it,
''Then the Captain must claim it at once"
said Mr.. Lazarus, Shaping his knee with a
cheerful expression.
You must make him, Mr.. lazarus said
Lady Gertrude, insinuatingly. 81 rely very
much upon your powers of persuasion,
backed by the hold you have over him. My
husband and | have eXerteG our influence
in vain. My son is Quixotic and ultra hon
orable. Under ordinary circumstances moth
ing would induce him to marry the girl
But whether, if he had to choose between
leaving the army in disgrace and swallow
ing his pride, he might not be prevailed
npon to claim what is rightfully his own"
Il understand, my Ladyn interrupted
Mr. Lazarus so far forgetting himself in his
citation as to wink Leave it to me. BY
the way, he added" 'is the Captain well
to the young lady?"
Il believe he loves her, and that nothing
but his foolish pride stands in the way"
said Lady Gertrude with conviction. I'm
mediately after his uncle's death he sud
denly abandoned his quiet habits and took
to gambling and racing, which led to his
connection with you. Why was this! Dis
at the money he had lost !!
Nothing of the kind. 1t was because he
realized that, according to his notions, he
was forever separated from Constance. 1t
was desperation and recklessne5s, brought
about by unhappiness."
Trust lady, and especially mother,
for fathoming love secrets - cried Mr.. Laz-
arus.' quite enthusiastically.
NThen good -day,7 Mr.. Lazarus" said
Lady Gertrude, rebuking the money-lend-
er's familiarity by rising from her seat and
bowling distantly. II am sure l can rely
upon your endeavoring to promote this mar
rage for your own sake; but it may be q
satisfaction to you to know that if you bring
it about you will be fulfilling the dearest
wish OF your clients parents"
Mr.. Lazarus listened to this gracious
speech with quite chivalrous thrill, which
lasted until Lady Gertrude had issued from
the room. Left to himself, however, the
astute gentleman soon cooled down, and,
upon calmly considering the interview, he
was strongly disposed to doubt his late
visitors good faith.
81 believe it's plan to gain time for the
Captain he murmurcd, while absently
manipulating his gold toothpick ''The old
lady is as full of tricks as monkey, I've
heard, and so is her husband. Both of 'em
tiit Wtll UP III IllC SdiIiC VI play nix HUI
and-seek with creditors. But the Captain
IS as strictly honorable and straight as
they make em, worse luck, if this story is
true, for it won't be all plain sailing
The result of Mr.. Lazarus meditations,
however, was that he deemed it worth
while to pay visit to the probate office,
and TO make certain inquiries which, to his
agreeable surprise, confirmed the truth
and accuracy of Lady G ertrude's informa-
ton. The consequence was that when
Captain Alwyn called, Il few days later, by
appointment in reference to his affairs, he
found the money-lender in q singularly
iocular mood
"Renew, Captain. OF course l will.
Nobody can say that l am relentless
creditor. Name you~ own time-only,
please be reasonable and remember that
money is tight
"rhrec months-givc me three months"
said spencer Alwyn eagerly. Il can hold
cut 30 hopes of raising the whole amount
in that time. but l have. every chance OF
getting staff appointment, which will
enable me to pay considerable installments
Here are five and twenty pounds on &C
count, though, dare say this sum won't
make any difference in the grand total, for
the debt goes on increasing in leaps and
bounds, in spite of all l can do added the
young fellow. with a grimace
Don't say that, don't say that" said Mr.